It Should Have Been Like This

Book One: falling south

Lavender's viewpoint

   I scrubbed the top of the table as I hummed, scrubbing it hard to get the stains out. Some people can eat like pigs, horrible pigs. And unfortunately, it was my job to clean it. Okay, not exactly my job, but the person doing it before got sick so I was to clean it and take her salary, until she is back to her feet. I accepted the offer with open arms.

More money for me.

   I work in a hotel as a bartender. Used to be a hotel porter, but after I complained of the male guest always finding a way to smack my ass, I was placed in the bar. The manager likes me, don't want me to go and that is the most lucky I had ever been.

   "Jamila, are you still here?" Speak of the devil. I gave the table the last finishing scrub before I stood up and place my hands on my hips.

   "People can eat like pigs, no, in fact, people are pigs." I sneered. He laughed from behind me before I felt his hand on my shoulder.

   "Jami, the real problem is you, not the table," I turned my sneer to him, "you are a clean freak,"

   "No, I'm not,"

   "Have you cleaned that table yet?" He asked, pointing at the last table, the one I hadn't clean.

   "No, but I'm about to. I'll just..." He pulled me back before I took a step. "What gives?"

   "Jamie, that table is clean enough, leave it alone. I don't see what's wrong with it," I rolled my eyes, he knew I would never listen. You know, when I first applied to work in the hotel, I was made a cleaner. He promoted me because he got too much complain from the customers. Apparently, I chased them out of their own room and nag about how dirty they are.

I do not.

   "Just let me clean it,"

   "What am I going to do with you, Jamila? Especially now that I'll be going for vacation? My replacement will blow a fuss with you," he said with a chuckle. I pouted because it was true. Mr. Miller was a good man, been working as a manager for years and he did a great job. He barely took vacations or do anything with his family until I came along and convince him to remember his family.

Finally! He was going to be getting the vacation for his marriage anniversary.

   "I'm not doing anything bad,"

   "Jamie, don't you have kids to return home to?" The only thing he knew could stop me. I gasped and slipped away from him immediately. They'll be waiting for me. They don't have a babysitter, I couldn't afford one. Luckily, I risk leaving them with my neighbor who loves children. But since her daughter gave birth, she seem to visit her daughter and forget my children more often.

   "Gotta go, bye, Mr. Miller!" I shouted.

   "Say hi to the boys for me," he shouted back. Always the boys.

   I took a cab home but made sure I got bribery ice cream and pizza for the kids. I stared out of the window with a smile, enjoying the view of the beautiful city of Las Vegas. Since my savior helped me move here after erasing my existence as requested from me, I had live in Las Vegas with my children.

   I can never stop being grateful to that man, even if he ended up forgetting I exist. At least, he helped me find a home and gave me money to begin my life. Lavender was dead, I went by my middle name and mother's maiden name and since everyone who cared to check on me thought I committed suicide, they didn't bother searching and I liked it that way. I didn't want my past coming for me or my children.